In this image taken from video on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017 provided by KTVB-TV Lucas McCulley talks during an interview in Lakeview Park in Nampa, Idaho. McCulley was born with a rare tumor on his face that couldn't be removed until he stopped growing because the tumor grew with him. Now 18, McCulley is asking for help with medical costs for the operation to have it removed. (Paul Boehlke/KTVB-TV via AP)

Idaho man with facial tumor asks for help with medical costs

Aug. 09, 2017

NAMPA, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho man with a large, rare tumor that dominates the right side of his face is asking for help with the medical costs to remove it.

Lucas McCulley of Nampa was born with a rare lymphangioma tumor that was not detected during his mother's pregnancy, KTVB-TV reported (http://bit.ly/2wInwpV).

"I was born at Mercy and they life-flighted me at two days old to Salt Lake City and they had never seen any case like it before I got there," he said.

Before he reached the age of 10, McCulley underwent 24 surgeries and the last one nearly had a fatal outcome.

"I bled out and was in the hospital for a really long time," he said.

After the last surgery, doctors told have told McCulley that the tumor was inoperable because it kept growing along with him, but now that he's older, the 18-year-old's physician says removing the tumor is a possibility.

The tumor causes him pain every waking moment, he said, but without health insurance, the procedure would be costly to McCulley.

He has turned to the internet for help and set up a GoFundMe page with a goal of $40,000.

Removing the tumor would not only give him a normal life, but also allow him to pursue his dream of joining the military, McCulley said.

"I should be able to live a normal life, do what I want to do because I have always wanted to join the Army, but I can't do that unless I can put a gas mask over my face," he said. "I have talked to recruiters about it and that's what they have told me, I can't do it unless I can fit into a gas mask."